HBO sets Season 4 return date for 'Game of Thrones'

The fourth season of "Game of Thrones" is scheduled to premiere on April 6.

The fourth season of "Game of Thrones" is scheduled to premiere on April 6. (HBO)

Patrick Kevin Day

Yes, in Westeros winter is still coming. And this year, it'll get a little closer on April 6, when Season 4 of HBO's "Game of Thrones" begins.

The fourth season of the sprawling, hugely popular series is expected to adapt the events from the second half of George R.R. Martin's "A Storm of Swords," the third book in his in-progress fantasy series of novels.

And in case you're the skeptical type who thinks the trailer will just show some crows flying or an esoteric shot of the Iron Throne, HBO is promising this Sunday's spot will feature glimpses of the new characters this season and scenes from actual episodes.

While the audience for the series has been steadily growing, fans were shocked by the "Red Wedding" episode last summer, which saw three main characters, including Robb Stark (Richard Madden), brutally murdered in a betrayal. And those who have read Martin's books know that even more shocking moments lie ahead.

Amazingly, many people who have read the books have managed to keep most such plot twists away from the casual "Game of Thrones" viewers.

Martin himself wrote the second episode of the season.

The third season of the Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy "Veep" will premiere immediately following the season premiere of "Game of Thrones." And the series premiere of Mike Judge's new comedy, "Silicon Valley," will follow "Veep."